Expressing apparatus



A. W. FRENCH. EXPRESSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28. I918.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

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ExPRE'ssmq APPARATUS. APPLlCATlON FILED JAN-28,1918.

1,327,093. Patented Jan. 6,1920.

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" A. W. FRENCH.

EXPRESSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED ]AN.2B,1918.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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EXPRE-QSING APPARATUS.

Application filed January 28, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ALFRED W. FRENCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Piqua, in the county of Miami and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Expressing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to expressing apparatus of the cage press type in which the oil meal or material to be pressed is deposited in separate layers or charges, one above another in an open-ended vertical press cage, and is subjected to pressure between a ram which moves upwardly in the cage and an opposing head block or device. When filling these press cages the ram is run up in the cage to a point near the upper end thereof and a charge of material is delivered, as by means of a reciprocating charging box, into the upper end of the cage above the ram. The "am is caused to descend slowly or intermittently so that after each charge of material is deposited, a space is left in the upper end of the cage to receive the next charge of material. After the cage has thus been filled with charges of material, which are separated by press plates and press cloths, the pressure may be applied to the material in the cage, either in the same press or in a high pressure press to which the filled cage is transferred. In the operation of cage presses of this type, much difficulty and trouble have been experienced in making the several cakes of like weight and thickness and in making the individual cakes of uniform thickness throughout. In some mills it has been customary to limit the amount of material carried by the charging box so that the entire charge of material is discharged from the charging device into the press cage at each operation of the charging device. In such cases, if the press ram is lowered fast enough to permit each entire charge to drop from the charging box into the cage, all of v the cakes will weigh the same, but a serious objection to this mode of operation has been that the ram does not always travel downwardly the same distance between successive operations of the charging box so that in many cases the cage is not filled to the same level from side to side, but the cake is deeper or thicker at one portion than at another. This causes the separating plates between the cakes to be bent when the pressure is Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

Serial No. 21%,071.

applied, and also interferes with the extraction of the liquid from the material by giving a pressure which is not uniform throughout the whole width of the cake. lVhen the oil used for operating the press ram is cold, the ram will travel downwardly at a slower rate of speed and the cakes will be thinner if the charging box is operated at the usual speed than when the oil is warm and flows more freely. On the other hand, if there is an abnormal delay between the successive operations of the charging box the ram might travel down an excessive distance, making a very heavy cake, thus resulting in irregularity in the thickness of the cakes.

One object of this invention is to over come such objections and insure uniformity in the different cakes and a uniform thickness of all portions of each cake, by controlling the descent of the press ram so that the ram will. always descend like distances between successive deliveries of the charges of material into the press cage, notwithstanding irregularity in the operation of the charging means and in the speed of travel of the press ram.

Another object of the invention is to control the descent of the ram in such a way that the ram will remain stationary during the time that the reciprocating charging box is over the upper end of the press cage and depositing the material therein, and Will descend only during the time that the reciprocating charging box is not above the press cage. In this way, by using a charging box of sufficient size to contain an excess of material, the charging box will strike off the surface of the charge of material 1n the cage level with the upper end of the cage and will insure all the charges in the cage being of like thickness and of uniform thickness throughout their Width.

Other objects of the invention are to cause the descent of the ram under the control of the operation of the charging box in such a way that the ram will descend only when the charging box is operated, and will always descend the same distance at each operation of the charging box; and to improve expressing apparatus in the other respects hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a cage press, charging device therefor, and ram controlling mechanism embodying the invention.

Fig, 2 is a sectional elevation of the controlling mechanism showing the position of the parts when the discharge valve is open, and the measuring receptacle is being filled.

Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof, partly in section, on line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the position of the parts when the measuring vessel is full and the discharge valve closed.

Fig. 5 is a similar view, showing the position of the parts when the measuring vessel is emptyin Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the operating mechanism for the discharge valve.

A represents a cage press, which can be either a filling press in which the cage 10 is placed only for filling it, or an expressing press in which the expressing pressure is applied to the material after the cage has been filled. The press shown comprises a lower cylinder 11, a cage support 12 above the same, a press head 13 connected by columns 14: to the lower cylinder and cage support, and a ram 15 working in the lower cylinder and provided at its upper end with a platen adapted to move up in the press cage. Means of any suitable kind, such for instance as a ram or plunger 16 working in an upper cylinder, may be provided at the upper end of the press for cooperation with the lower ram for applying pressure to the material in the cage for compacting or pressing it, but these means, when employed are only used after the cage has been filled and do not constitute any part of this invention. The press can be of any other usual or suitable construction.

The material to be pressed is deposited in the cage in successive measured charges by suitable means, consisting preferably of an open ended charging box 17 which is adaptst to be reciprocated from a position shown in Fig. 1, in which it receives a charge of material from a meal cooker 18, to a position over the upper end of the press cage for depositing the charge into the cage. This charging box can be of any suitable constr ction and can be reciprocated by hand or by any appropriate power operated mechanism, such as a piston or plunger 19 working in a cylinder 20 and actuated by fluid pressure admitted to and discharged from the cylinder, as more fully disclosed by Letters Patent No. 1,158,? 97, granted to me November 2, 1915. 21 represents a table 0 which the open ended changing box slides to prevent the material from discharging from the box except when the box is over the press cage, and 22 indicates the usual apron or plate extending horizontally from the upper end of the box for closing the discharge the cage to the upper portion of the latter leaving sul licient space in the cage above the platen for one charge of material. A press plate and press cloth, are placed in the cage on the ram platen and the char ing box 17 is then advanced to deposit a charge of material in the press cage and is returned to its receiving position beneath the spout of the cooker. During the advance and return movements of the charging box, the ram lowers a step, that is, suiiiciently to leave the necessary space in the cage for the next charge of material, and a press cloth, press plate and another press cloth are placed in the cage on the first charge of material. The charging box is then again operated to deliver another charge of material into the cage. This operation is repeated, the ram descending step by step until the cage is filled with charges of material separated by press plates and cloths.

The mechanism for controlling the step by step or intermittent descent of the press ram is preferably constructed as follows: 25 represents a pipe leading from the press cylinder 11. The ram operating oil or liquid can be admitted to the cylinder through this pipe from a supply pipe 26 controlled by an admission valve, ..or by other suitable connections, Whenthe admission valve is closed this pipe 25 serves as a discharge pipe for the operating liquid from the press cylinder 11. In the pipe 25 is a discharge valve 27, preferably of the butterfly type pivoted centrally in a valve casing or portion of the pipe 25. The discharge pipe 25 connects beyond the discl'iarge valve 27 with a measuring cylinder or vessel 28 into which the liquid is adapted to enter from the pipe 25. This measuring vessel is provided with a bottom 29 adapted to be opened for emptying the vessel, this bottom or valve also being preferably a centrally pivoted plateor valve of the butterfly type. Within the measuring vessel 29 is a fioat 30 or plunger of any suitable construction adapted to be moved upwardly by the liquid entering the measuring vessel. A rod 31 connected to the float 30 extends upwardly out of the measuring vessel, and, as shown, passes through guide openings in a bracket 32 ris-v ing from the measuring vessel. A collar or projection 38 of any suitable sort, preferably adjustably secured on the rod, as by a set screw 33 is adapted, when the fioat is lifted to strike and move a lever 3a, which, as shown, is fulcrumed on the bracket 32. One end of this lever is adapted to engagea suitable collar or projection 35, preferably ad-V justably secured as by a set screw 35 on a vertical rod 36 which is connected at its'" with the bottom 29 of the measuring vessel lower end to a crank or lever 37 011 one end of the shaft of the discharge valve 27. When the float is lifted to a predetermined position by the liquid entering the measuring vessel, the lever 3 will be actuated and will move the rod 36 downwardly to close the valve 27 to prevent further discharge of the liquid from the press cylinder. 38, Fig. 6, represents a spring actuated plunger pivotally mounted on the discharge pipe or other suitable support and connected to the crank 37 of the discharge valve. This spring plunger is adapted to swing past a dead center or intermediate position and to move the valve 27 quickly either to its closed or open position after the valve has beenmoved part way by the operation of the rod 36, and to hold the valve in either of these positions.

39 represents an actuating rod pivoted to a crank or lever 4L0 on the shaft of the pivoted bottom 29 of the measuring vessel and extending upwardly therefrom. A spring 41 connected to the crank 40 or otherwise connected to the pivoted bottom 29 acts to move this bottom to and normally hold it in its closed position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The actuating rods 36 and 39 connected respectively to the discharge valve 27 and to the bottom of the measuring vessel extend to points adjacent to the charging device so as to be actuated by parts which are connected to or move with the charging box. As shown, the rod 36 is pivoted at its upper end to a trip lever L2 and the rod 39 is connected to a second trip lever 43. These levers are provided with pivoted triggers M: and 45 respectively which are arranged in the paths of and adapted to be engaged by tappets or projections 46 and 47 respectively on the underside of the apron 22 of the charging box. These tappets and their companion triggers are arranged in difierent vertical planes so that each tappet engages only its companion trigger. The trigger of the trip lever 42 is adapted to swing independently of its lever in one direction, for instance to the left, but is provided with a shoulder or part adapted to engage the lever and swing the lever when the trigger is swung in the opposite direction beyond the position shown in the drawings. The trigger it is normally held in this position with its shoulder in engagement with its trip lever 42 by a suitable spring 49. The trigger for the other trip lever 43 is similarly connected with the trip lever except that this trigger is adapted to operate in the opposite direction, that is to swing to the right independently of its lever and to engage the lever and swing it when the trigger is moved to the left.

Assuming the parts of the controlling mechanism to be in the position shown in Fig. 2, with the discharge valve 27 open and closed, the liquid will discharge from the press cylinder into the measuring vessel 28 until the measuring float or plunger 30 is lifted by the liquid to a position determined by the adjustment of the collars 33 and 35 on the float rod 31 and the actuating rod 36 for the discharge valve. When the float or plunger reaches this position the lever 3% will be actuated and will move the rod 36 downwardly and the discharge valve will be closed by the downward movement of the rod 36 and the action of the valve actuating spring plunger The discharge of the liquid from the press cylinder is thus stopped and the descent of the press ram 15 arrested when the ram has descended a definite distance predetermined in accordance with the desired thickness of the cakes in the press cage. This distance which the ram descends can be regulated as desired by adjusting the collars 33 and 35 so that the liquid will have to rise to a higher or lower level in the measuring vessel in order to close the discharge valve 27. The charging box is then operated to carry a charge of material to the cage and as the charging box advances the tappet or projection a? on the apron of the charging box engages the trigger of the lever a3 and moves this lever and the actuat in rod 39, thereby opening the bottom or va ve 29 of the measuring vessel and permitting the liquid. in thesame to discharge quickly from the vessel into a suitable receptacle or reservoir 50. The tappet or projection 47 is made of suflicient length to hold the bottom or valve 29 open long enough to permit the complete discharge of the liquid from the measuring vessel. W hen the tappet 47 clears the trigger of the lever 43, the bottom or valve 29 of the measuring vessel is again closed by its closing spring d1. During the return movement of the charging box from the cage back to the cooker the other tappet 46 engages the trigger of the lever 42 and swings this lever, thereby lifting the rod 36 and opening the discharge valve 27. The liquid can then discharge from the press cylinder 11 and permit the descent of the press ram another step until arrested as before explained by the filling of the measuring vessel and the closing of the discharge valve. The location of the tappet as with reference to the lever 42 which it actuates is preferably such that the discharge valve 27 will not be opened and permit the descent of the press ram until after the charging box has been moved back from a position over the press cage. In this way the ram cannot descend during the time that the charging box is over the cage and the material is being deposited in the cage and leveled off and inasmuch as the charging box contains an excess of material it is therefore impossible for the charge or cake to be thinner at one side of the press cage than at the other, as happens in presses in Which the ram moves downwardly during the time that the material is being deposited in the cage. As the trigger for the lever as can swing to the left independently of its lever, the tappet d6 vvill simply swing the trlgger Without .iovmg the lever when the charging box is advanced, the lever 42 being actuated by the tappet only on the return movement of the charging box. In a similar manner the trigger for the lever will yield and permit the tappet 47 to pass it without operating the le er 48 during the return movement of the charging box.

The controlling mechanism thus operates to discharge a definite measured quantity of liquid from the ram cylinderat each operation of the charging box so that the ram can only descend by steps or movements or like fixed length. lvianifestly, mechanism of other construction than that above described and SllOWIl in the drawings could be employed for etlecting the movement of the ram in this Way.

51 represents a high pressure valve of any suitable sort arrangui between the high pressure supply connection for the press cylinder 11 and the automatic discharge valve 27. The valve 51 is closed before the supply valve is opened to admit the liquid to the press cylincer for raising the ram and remains closed While the pressure is on the ram and is only opened when the ram is to be lowered for filling the press cage. The valve 51 thus relieves the controlling mechanism from excessive pressure and prevents injury to the same.

I claim as my invention.

1. The combination of a press cage, a ram movable in said cage to make room for successive charges of material delivered into the cage, a ram cylinder, and mechanism Which discharges the ram-operating liquid in successive equal measured quantities from the ram cylinder for causing successive equal movements of the ram.

2. The combination of a press cage, a ram movable in cage to make room for successive charges of material delivered into the cage, a ram cylinder, and measuring mechanism into Which the ram operating liquid discharges from the ram cylinder and which operates iv ion a predetermined quan tity of the liquid has discharged from the ram cylinder to stop the discharge from the cylinder for arresting the movement of the ram.

3. The combination of press cage, a ram movable in said cage to make room for successive charges of material delivered into the cage, a ram cylinder, and mechanism actuated by the liquid discharging from the ram cylinder to stop the discharge When a predetermined quantity of the liquid has discharged from the cylinder.

4. The combination of a press cage, a ram movable in said cage to make room for successive charges of mat rial delivered into the cage, a ram cylinder, and measuring mechanism into which the ram operating liquid discharges from the ram cylinder and which is actuated by the discharging liquid to stop the discharge when a predetermined quantity of the liquid has discharged from the cylinder.

5. The combination of a press cage, a ram movable in said cage to malre room for successive charges of material delivered into the cage, a ram cylinder, a valve controlling the discharge of the liquid from the ram cylinder, and measuring mechanism which operates said valve to stop the discharge of the liquid when a predetermined quantity of the liquid has discharged from the ram cylinder.

(3. The combination of a press cage, a ram movable in said cage to make room for successive charges of material delivered into the cage, a ram cylinder, a vessel into which the ram-operating liquid discharges from the ram cylinder, and means actuated by the entrance of a predeteiunined quantity of the liquid into said vessel to stop the discharge of the liquid from the ram cylinder.

'Z. The combination of a press cage, a ram movable in said cage to make room for successive charges of material delivered into the cage, a ram cylinder, a vessel into which the ram-operating liquid discharges from the ram cylinder, a valve controlling the passage of the liquid into said vessel, and means actuated by the liquid to close said valve and stop the discharge of the liquid when a predetermined quantity of liquid has entered said vessel.

8. The combination oi a press cage, a ram.

aovable in said ca to m alt-e room for successive charges or material delivered into the cage, a ram cylinder, vessel into which the ram-operating liquid discharges from the ram cylinder, means actuated by the entrance ot' a predetermined quantity of the liquid into said vessel. to stop the discharge of the liquid from the ram cy inder, and means for discharging the liquid from said vessel.

The combination with a press cage, a charging device movable to deliver charges of material to the cage, a ram movable in the cage, and mechanism controlled by the movement of said charging device for producing successive movements of equal extent oithe ram upon successive operations of the charging device.

10. The combination with arpress cage, a charging device movable to deliver charges of material to the cage, a ram movable in the successive equal quantities of the ram-open ating liguid from the ram cylinder at successive operations of said charging device tor producing successive like movements of said rain.

The combination with a press cage, a charging device movable to deliver charges of material to the ca e a ram movable in the cage, a vessel into which the ram-operating liquid discharges from the rain cylinder, means actuated by the entrance of a predetermined quantity of the liquid into said vessel to stop the discharge of the liquid from tne ram cylinder, and means controlled by said charging device for emptying said vessel and again starting the discharge of the liquid from the ram cylinder into said vessel.

18. The combination with a press cage, a charging device movable to deliver charges of material to the cage, a ram movable in the cage, a ram cylinder, a vessel into which the ram-operating liquid discharges from the ram cylinder, a. valve controlling the passage of the liquid into said vessel, means actuated by the liquid to close said valve and stop the discharge of the liquid when a predetermined quantity of liquid has entered said vessel, and means controlled by said charging device for emptying said vessel and opening said valve.

14. The combination with a press cage, a charging device movable to deliver charges of material to the cage, a ram movable in the cage, a ram cylinder, a vessel into which the ram-operating liquid discharges from the ram cylinder, a valve controlling the passage of the liquid into said vessel, means actuated by the liquid to close said valve and stop the discharge of the liquid when a predetermined quantity of liquid has entered said vessel, and means controlled by said charging device for emptying said vessel when the charging device is advanced to deliver a charge into the cage and for open ing said valve when the charging device is returned.

15. The combination of a cylinder, a member which is moved by the admission and discharge of liquid to and from said cylinder, and means for causing successive equal movements of said member comprising a device which is actuated by liquid discharging from said cylinder and stops the discharge when a predetermined quantity oi liquid has discharged from the cylinder.

16. The combination of a cylinder, a member which is moved by the admission and discharge of liquid to and from said cylinder, and means for causing successive equal movements of said member comprising a device which is actuated by liquid discharging from said cylinder and stops the discharge when a predetermined quantity of liquid has discharged from the cylinder, and means for resetting said device for successive operations.

17. The combination of a cylinder, a member which is moved by the admission and discharge of liquid to and from said cylinder, and means for causing successive equal movements of said member comprising a discharge valve for the cylinder, and means for causing successive equal movements of said member comprising a device which is actuated by liquid discharging from said cylinder and operates said valve to stop the discharge when a predetermined quantity of liquid has discharged from the cylinder.

Witness my hand this 23 day of January, 1918.

ALFRED W. FRENCH. Witnesses:

R. M. DONOVAN, A. B. BINFORD. 

